Family Fun in Tokyo at Yomiuri Land Amusement Park

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While the sprawling Disney resort is the most famous amusement park in the Tokyo area it is by no means the only one. Just thirty minutes outside of central Tokyo you can also find Yomiuri Land. While not as immense as its neighbor Disney, but Yomiuri Land is still an excellent day out, particularly if you have children and find the two hour waits at Disney’s park more tiresome than suspense-building.

Run by the Yomiuri Group (the parent company of both the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper and the all-conquering Yomiuri Giants baseball team) Yomiuri Land has been entertaining the Tokyo thrill-seeking population, young and old, since 1964 and is still one of the largest amusement parks in the area.

Yomiuri Land’s Attractions

Yomiuri Land boasts over 43 attractions that can be enjoyed by families of all ages. Below is a list of some of the more popular rides.

Bandit – Yomiuri Land’s most popular ride. With a top speed of 110 km/h it was the world’s fastest when it was built in 1988 and flies deep through the surrounding woodland.

Ferris Wheel – On a good day, from this immense ferris wheel sitting atop of Tama Hill, 16o metres high, you can see views of Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree. It is particularly beautiful when lit up at night and is considered the symbol of the amusement park.

Bungee Jump – Not for the faint hearted, at 22m high – or seven stories – this bungee jump is the real deal. It’s the only experience of its kind in Tokyo, and can be enjoyed by adventurous types as young as twelve. Rather them than I…

MOMOnGA Roller Coaster – The first standing roller coaster in Japan, the MOMOnGA ride takes in a fall of 25 meters from the top of the loop to the bottom. Hold on to your lunch!

Laser Athletic – Temple of the Sun – This laser based obstacle course comes with three challenges – from beginner to expert. See if you can complete all three.

Yomiuri land for kids

Yomiuri land is particularly accessible for kids, young and old, with plenty for all ages to get involved in. In particular the Goodjoba (good job) area is well worth checking out. With an educational and vocational slant on the day trip experience, Goodjoba takes your children through four different vocational areas.

At the Nissan Car Factory you can build and then test drive your own car, and in the Fashion Factory ride on the Spin Runway, an indoor rollercoaster that shows you the world of fashion. For interactive challenge games there is the Bungu Factory which looks at campus life, and finally there is the Nissin Food Factory which includes a ride where your children can discover what it would be like to to become a portion of Nissin UFO Yakisoba. For some reason.

Yomiuri Land Seasonal Attractions

Autumn to winter – At this time of year, perhaps one of the greatest draws to the park is the nighttime illuminations. From October 14, 2016 to February 19, 2017 the park will be aglow with the various stunning “Jewellumination” light displays set to music.

Spring – As the park is based within a forest, the spring sees a beautiful array of cherry blossoms. In fact, the Bandit rollercoaster that flies through this wooded area is billed as the world’s quickest cherry blossom viewing experience.

Summer – Pool WAI at Yomiuri Land has a whopping five pools and three water slides, including the rubber ring ride ‘The Giant Sky River’ that stands at 25m high and runs for 386m. If that is a touch too thrilling for your disposition you can play it safe in the Anpanman pool.

Yomiuri Land Access

Ticket prices

Getting there

The closest train station to Yomiuri Land is Keioyomiuri Land Station on the Keiō Sagamihara Line. From the station, you can either walk the 1.2 miles uphill or take the five minute Gondola Sky Shuttle for ¥300 (one way) to reach the park entrance.